Octopus Energy has sent the heated blankets to thousands of its customers, as it says it will make those struggling with the rising costs of gas and energy. The energy bills of many households are soaring due to the increase in the price ceiling to almost £ 2,000, which was raised in early April. The increase in the price ceiling is equivalent to an estimated increase of 700 700 in the average annual energy bill in Britain. The extra cost is part of the cost-of-living crisis in Britain, which has pushed food and clothing prices soaring. But Octopus Energy has tried to soften the blow by distributing electric blankets to customers in need, who can offer a cheaper alternative to district heating. Octopus Energy gives electric blankets to customers in an effort to mitigate the impact of rapid heating bills as the cost of living crisis continues to hit households across the UK Depending on your tariff, electric blankets can cost as little as 28 pp an hour, according to Uswitch. People took to social media to thank Octopus for what the company called “dedicated customer support in financial difficulties.” One customer wrote: “A big thank you for the electric blanket. Being in a Power 24/7 wheelchair – I feel cold more with a little space for warm-up exercise and this useful gift will keep me warm. ‘Thanks. Not all energy companies are the same it seems. I am a regular customer “. Another added: “I just wanted to say a big thank you !! Our free heated blanket arrived today and the children cut it immediately, they love it !!! Thank you very much.’ The company said it had 5,000 blankets, but has since said “stocks are very low”. Customers can fill out an online help tool to apply for an electric blanket and other assistance. Octopus said it would distribute blankets to those most in need, depending on how much is left. CEO Greg Jackson said it was “no secret” that energy costs had risen “dramatically”, acknowledging that the cost-of-living crisis was “very real”. He said the “sad reality” was that many people lost their jobs during the pandemic and became inaccessible from being able to pay their bills. He told LBC: “Where people do the best they can, companies like ours will work with them to implement payment plans, provide some help, work with them for all of their revenue and expenses.” Mr Jackson said there were also people who could pay but chose not to pay, adding that a “different approach” had to be taken to the scenario. Warning that energy prices could rise further in the winter, he said: “Global energy prices are one of the most volatile markets and therefore it is foolish to make a strong prediction. “But what we do know is that the next period of energy price cap is determined by the prices we see now, because there is a kind of lag in the system. “So unless there is a very rapid fall in world prices, energy costs for people in the UK will remain high during the winter. They could be even higher. We just do not know. “But of course we are now in a situation where there are two factors that really make a difference. “(The) The first is whether there are other strategic moves related to Russia, whether the gas taps are closed or not. And the second is what the weather does. In the photo: Octopus Energy CEO Greg Jackson said there was no secret that energy costs had risen “dramatically” and acknowledged that the cost-of-life crisis was “very real”. “Essentially what matters now is, will Europe fill its gas depot because we have mild weather? Or will he empty it because we have bad weather? “So, depending on the weather from now until winter, there could be a very big difference in energy prices in the coming months.” Mr Jackson was asked if he could promise that his company would not send the “heavy” round if people could not pay and instead were “generous”. Mr Jackson told LBC that the challenge is that all those who do not pay add to the cost to everyone else. But he added: “We do not ship the heavy. We work with people to try to get them out in such moments – listening, helping where we can. “Our company has never sent the heavy rounds and we are not going to do it.” Nearly 22 million homes saw a 54% increase in energy bills on Friday, as experts predict that an average home will cost a whopping £ 400 for heating and electricity in January 2023 Nearly 22 million homes saw their gas and electricity bills rise by 54% as the new price cap went into effect on Friday. The rise, which came as temperatures plunged below zero this week, will add nearly 700 700 to the average annual bill as the nation faces a cost-of-life crisis. However, many customers say suppliers have increased their direct debit payments even further – with some requirements doubling. Government economists have predicted that the crisis in Ukraine and the rising cost of wholesale energy means that the price ceiling will have to rise another 42 percent in October to reach 8 2,800 for the average household. It means that those living solely on the state pension could see their income disappear from heating costs. Comparison site The Energy Shop reported that heating and powering the average home would cost 85 1,859 Οκ between October and March – peaking at 5 395 in January, when temperatures reached a record low. CEO Scott Byrom said: “Families need to know that the worst is yet to come. “It’s like seeing a tsunami approaching and we know it will hit us soon.” The price cap limits the prices that suppliers can charge households with typically variable gas and electricity tariffs. Energy regulator Ofgem has been called upon to investigate suppliers who increase direct billing requirements above the price cap increase.
